The biggest challenge that faced this year’s Tennessee team in the summer was replacing legendary middle linebacker A.J. Johnson, one of the most prolific tacklers in school history.

By the time his career finished in 2014, Johnson was the school’s leader in assisted tackles (207) and second all-time in total tackles (425). There’s no mistaking freshman MLB Darrin Kirkland Jr. for Johnson, but the Volunteers have found a man in the middle with potential to make a name for himself.

Kirkland was that good this year.

This season, Kirkland became the first freshman to start at linebacker for Tennessee since Johnson and Curt Maggitt did in 2011. Kirkland played in all 12 games, and should play in the Outback Bowl, but didn’t become a starter until Week 4 against Western Carolina.

Kirkland’s 60 tackles this season weren’t quite Johnson’s first-year numbers (80 tackles), or last year’s numbers (101 tackles), but were still good enough for fifth-best in school history among freshmen. He’s already made a name for himself outside of Knoxville, Tenn., as evidenced by his selection to the SEC All-Freshman Team.

Kirkland and LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin (159 combined tackles) were unable to match the level of production from Johnson and Reeves-Maybin last season (202 combined tackles). But his talents also showed in other ways.

Kirkland, however, appears to be ahead of his predecessor in pass defense as a freshman. This past season, Kirkland intercepted one pass and broke up another. Johnson first registered a pass breakup in his junior season, when he deflected three passes, and only made his first interception as a senior.

Johnson may have been a once-in-a-lifetime player for Tennessee, but in fairness, he shouldn’t be considered a measuring stick for Kirkland’s play. With Kirkland’s demonstrated speed, athleticism and pass coverage, expect him to make a name for himself on his own, instead of simply Johnson’s replacement.